Desert to Sea Odyssey: Exploring Tunisia's Diverse Landscapes
Dates: October 30th-November 8th 2024
Price: $2300
Join us on a unique off-the-beaten-path adventure in the wonderful country of Tunisia.
Ten days of deep connection with the land, its people, and great nature. From canyons to the Sahara Desert to the Mediterranean. This is an adventure of a lifetime!
Day 1: Arrival in Tunis & welcome dinner
Welcome to Tunisia! We will greet you at the airport and arrange your transportation to your guesthouse in the old Medina of Tunis.
After you get settled, you’ll join the rest of the group for a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Dar EL Medina (or similar).
Meals: welcome dinner included.
Day 2: Old Medina of Tunis, biking tour in Carthage, and Sidi Bou Said
Today your adventure starts in the city of Tunis. After a hearty breakfast, you will start a guided immersive tour of the old city of Tunis.
During this tour, we will explore numerous gems around old Tunis such as Zaitouna Mosque, Souks, a mausoleum, and a madrassa.
After the tour, you will enjoy a traditional lunch in the Medina before heading to Carthage for a cultural biking tour.
Carthage is an ancient city of great historical significance. It was once a powerful Phoenician colony on the coast. It rose to prominence as a formidable maritime empire in the 3rd century BCE and rivaled Rome during the Punic Wars.
We will grab our bikes and helmets and set off to explore the most important ruins of Carthage including the Tophet, Punic Ports, Baths of Antoninus, Villas Romaines, Byrsa Hill, Saint Louis Cathedral, and Carthage Aqueduct that offer a glimpse into the rich past of Carthage.
After finishing our guided biking tour around Carthage, we will head to the beautiful city of Sidi Bou Said.
Sidi Bou Said is a picturesque coastal town in Tunisia known for its stunning blue and white architecture, reminiscent of the Greek islands. Perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it offers a charming blend of art, culture, and breathtaking sea views.
This is a wonderful spot to take in the beauty of the Mediterranean and capture plenty of photos.
Accommodation: Dar EL Medina (or similar).
Meals: breakfast and lunch are included.
Day 3: The Road to Tozeur
After breakfast, we will start our road trip to get to Tozeur. Tozeur is an oasis city located in southwestern Tunisia, renowned for its captivating desert landscapes and traditional architecture. Tozeur is the gateway to the Sahara Desert. It offers visitors a unique blend of cultural charm and natural beauty.
The drive from Tunis to Tozeur takes from 8-9 hours.
Accommodation: Dar Yomma (or similar).
Meals: breakfast and lunch are included.
Day 4: Tozeur: The Gateway to the Sahara Desert
After breakfast, we will embark on a guided walking tour in Tozeur. On this tour, we will visit historical monuments around Tozeur (old mosques, museums, a local souk, and an Amazigh café).
We will then stop for an Oasis Traditional Lunch before we head out for a unique day hike “Bouhelal”.
This day hike is more than just a walk in the desert, it’s a walk through Earth’s ancient history as we see geological wonders and marine fossils unique to the area. This spot attracts renowned producers and filmmakers for how unique the landscape is. Scenes of Star Wars were filmed here.
Accommodation: Dar Yomma (or similar).
Meals: breakfast and lunch are included.
Day 5: A night with the Sahara nomads
After breakfast, we will start our adventure to explore the breathtaking nature of Southern Tunisia.
In the first half of the day, we will travel a few dozen kilometers from Tozeur to Chebika, Tamerza, and Midas. We will see oases, canyons, waterfalls, and landscapes completely out of this world.
We will then continue our adventure deeper into the desert.
Today is one of the most special days of this trip as we start adventuring into the desert to set camp, disconnect, and experience glimpses of what it’s like to be a true nomad.
Before getting to camp, we will ride camels for a trek of about 2 hours. You will reach your campsite before the sunset. If you wish, you can participate in setting camp and preparing traditional wood-fired couscous(our meal for the night).
Accommodation: A night in the desert.
Meals: breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 6: Living the Amazigh way
When you wake up in the morning, freshly baked bread will be waiting for you. After a relaxed morning and a fresh breakfast, we will leave our camp for an ATV adventure tour before we take the road to Tataouine.
In Tunisia, a troglodyte refers to a community dwelling in caves carved into the mountains. These troglodyte dwellings provide natural insulation from the extreme temperatures of the desert, and some have gained international recognition for their unique architecture.
Today you will spend the night in a troglodyte to get a glimpse into this distinctive way of living.
Accommodation: Résidence Douiret Les Troglodytiques.
Meals: breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7: An immersive tour of Tataouine
Tatooine is not only a fictitious place in Star Wars but it’s one of the most unique regions of Tunisia and yes it’s a real place.
Today we will see old Amazigh Ksours (castles), deserted villages, and dinosaurs’ footprints. We will then have lunch with the locals before embarking on our sunset hike.
Accommodation: TBD.
Meals: breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8: The third-largest Amphitheater in the world
After breakfast, we will set off for a picturesque hike from Douiret to Chenini.
The hike from Douiret to Chenini offers a captivating journey through ancient Berber villages and the rugged landscapes of the Matmata region. As you traverse this scenic trail, you'll see troglodyte dwellings carved into the cliffs, providing a unique and immersive experience of the rich cultural and historical heritage of the area.
After our hike, we will take the road to Mahdia and stop by El Jem. The Amphitheater of El Jem is a well-preserved ancient Roman amphitheater dating back to the 3rd century AD. It’s recognized as one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the world with a capacity of up to 35,000 spectators. It stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of the Roman Empire in North Africa.
Accommodation: Dar Evelyne (or similar).
Meals: breakfast included.
Day 9: Kairouane, the third holiest city in Islam
Our adventure continues to Kairouan. Kairouan is one of Islam's holiest cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Renowned for its Great Mosque with its impressive minaret, the city holds historical significance as a center of Islamic scholarship and culture, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike to its well-preserved architectural and religious treasures.
We will visit the Great Mosque of Kairouane, the Old Medina, and the Mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi. This spiritual city holds a unique charm that can only be understood when visited.
We then hit the road to make our way back to Tunis for our last night of this adventure.
Accommodation: Dar EL Medina (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast and farewell dinner included.
Day 10: Goodbye Tunisia
All good things must come to an end. Today is the end of our adventure in Tunisia.
You will be transferred to the airport and bid farewell for now!
Meals included: Breakfast.
Trip inclusions
Transportation
Pickup and drop off from Tunis-Carthage International Airport.
Local guides at each stop
English-speaking trip leader
Mentioned meals and activities
Sustainable Accommodation for all nights (double occupancy)
All breakfasts in Tunis Medina, Tozeur, and Mahdia
Breakfasts and dinners in Douz and Tataouine
Trip exclusions
International flights
Food and alcohol (except as noted)
Visas and Travel Insurance
Tips for guides